Overcoming motion sickness

Motion sickness develops when signals from the eyes, inner ears, and body do not agree about movement. It can cause nausea, sweating, dizziness, salivation, headache, and vomiting. Reading or looking down during travel can worsen the mismatch because your eyes report stillness while your balance system senses motion.

It can happen on cars, boats, aircraft, or amusement rides. Sensitivity varies between people and journeys. Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, so replacing fluids matters when you can keep them down.

Choose a seat with the least movement, face in the direction of travel, and look at the horizon or a distant fixed point. Keep your head still, use fresh air when possible, and avoid reading, screens, heavy meals, and alcohol before or during the journey. Small sips of water and plain foods may be easier than a large meal.

If you are prone to motion sickness, ask a pharmacist or clinician about prevention before travelling. Some medicines cause drowsiness, blurred vision, or dry mouth and may be unsuitable with certain conditions or medicines. Follow the product directions and do not drive if impaired.

Seek medical advice if vomiting continues after travel, you cannot keep fluids down, you pass very little urine, or you become unusually weak or confused. Get urgent help for blood or green material in vomit, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, fainting, or a severe headache. A clinician can check for dehydration or another cause when symptoms do not fit the travel pattern.

Ask: Which seat or travel position may help me? Should I use preventive medicine, and when? Could it interact with my regular treatment? What signs of dehydration should I watch for?